Good morning and welcome to the last weekend in August. Where the heck did summer go? We are still in summer temperatures but it's got that crisp feeling in the mornings. 55ºF right now.

Haircut in town at 9 and then some odds and ends of shopping. I'll go over to my sister's place mid-afternoon to help with wedding prep and put the flowers onto the tables in the barn. Joan is on the edge of a meltdown but I am sure she'll be OK. (Our mother never would allow meltowns.) The weather looks good for a 4 PM ceremony down at the pond - no clergyperson but a justice of the Supreme Court to do the deed. I guess that works as well but I do like Church weddings.

The news up here is full of Irene although this part of Canada will be only slightly influenced. I hope everyone in the path can stay safe. Please check in with us as soon as you can. We worry!

Good morning, Ruth, and those to join us.

The weather is hot and sticky here, and all the talk is the impending arrival of Irene, too. We're west of Philadelphia, so I don't know how hard it will hit us, but she's due to arrive around 2am here. Yesterday, we put all the lawn furniture and pool stuff away, then we picked the garden clean before the storm devastates it. I ran the dehydrator all night with a full load of tomatoes and peppers. All the Kindles, cellphones, and laptops are being charged up now, and I have the laundry going. I may run to the market for a few things since my DD and her family are thinking of weathering out the storm with us, but I think we're all set for whatever comes.

Stay safe, everyone, and as Ruth said, DO check in when you can.

Good morning We are under a tropical storm warning here and doing all the usual storm prep. Luckily there is no water near us that can cause serious flooding though here is a river along the main road. As long as it's not below zero losing power isn't such a big deal for us. We will have water stored for all essentials including coffee, lots of easy to prepare food and a gas stove. Kindles, cells and laptops are charged (and DW's camera because I suspect photos will be required). Today I'll clean-up everything outside and pick anything and everything from the garden.

Ruth - I was noticing the same thing about the weather, definitely moving into fall temps. Hope the day remains beautiful for the wedding.

Cottage - Sounds like you are as ready as you can be. It might be perfect for board games and a bottle of wine

Jenn - Will you be set in the new place before the worst of it hits? Thinking of you moving this weekend.

Chris - It looks like CT is getting hit. Hope you are in a safe place.

Okay friends, I have a loooong list so better get moving.

(ETA - oh yeah, just 3 more work days to underemployment! )

Good Morning

It sounds like everyone is getting prepared for what might happen in their neck of the woods. I've sure been thinking about Matilda as they talk of all the happenings in NYC.

Ruth, have fun getting all the flowers for the wedding!

Linda, it sounds like you have the bases covered!

Cyndi, sounds like a busy garden day!

Me, just hanging out hundreds of miles inland. It looks like we're in for a typical day here. Cool this morning, hot this afternoon, with a pool in between.

Take care everyone! I'll be checking back with ya'll.

Good morning!

My thoughts are with everyone in Irene's path.

My son made it back to college fine yesterday and I think they are far enough inland to just get bad rains from the storm.

My knee is still acting up but I finally figured out that exercise is okay... moving it eventually makes it hurt LESS not more. I have no idea what is going on. It stiffens up at night or sitting, with inactivity. Did a short workout this morning but will do more later.

Not working out yesterday and taking an off plan detour with food left behind by my son was not a good combination. I really need to rededicate with a longer stint of PH1, not the few days I thought had me back on track but obviously did not!

Off to make crack slaw!

Good morning!!
We are pretty much prepared for the wrath of Irene. My daughter came back from college to hang with us (her dogs really) through the storm. My other daughter is staying in her apartment on Wall Street. She's on the 17th floor, so no chance for flooding although there may be swaying!
Went to the bank this morning to deposit my well earned check for this past week. Anacin is my new best friend.

Lexxis-Enjoy pool time! Sounds wonderful.
Cindi-I'm charging anything that can be charged too. Don't have a Kindle, but I do have a candle and a book!! Gas stove is the cherry on the cake!
Cottage-Hopefully you won't be hit too hard as you're west of Philadelphia. I'm on laundry duty too today. I will miss it when we have no electricity.
Ruth-Have a wonderful time at the wedding! Unlike your Mother, I come from a long line of "melt downers" and tend to follow suit. My husband is the rock during those times, which keeps me off medication, I'm sure!!

Stay safe and cozy!

Waisting Time-I'm afraid this weather isn't helping your knee. Keeping it moving does help with the stiffness though. I'm glad to hear your son is out of the danger zone of the hurricane. Enjoy your slaw!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to tell you that Crack Slaw is awesome! I made it for dinner tonight. Of course, Auston hated it, but he hates everything.

I have a new doctor who lost 150 pounds on a diet she created. It's called "The Permanent Diet". Anyway, it's very similar to SBD Ph1 -- it allows fruit, but limits beans. It's absolutely doable. This week (first week), I've lost 4.5 pounds. WooHoo!!! She did some blood work and I'm getting results Monday. I'm hoping she says that my thyroid is rotten and a pill will make me thin and beautiful by Christmas. HaHa!!! Wishful thinking.

I've missed y'all. Stay dry, Northern Chicks!

Chelby! It's nice to "see" you back! I've missed you!

It's been raining all day, and now it's starting to get pretty wild out there, but we're all safe and snug here inside.

My daughter and her family came out to stay with us, and we're about to break out the games and have a Hurricane Irene Party.

Great idea Cottage, might as well make the most of it.

Apparently my brother & family evacuated VA Beach but now the power is out in their hotel. Still glad they left.

Be safe friends. Hopefully we can all check-in tomorrow morning.

Hey, girls, this is some serious storm. I normally love wild weather, but this is really scary. Wind howling, rain pelting down, sirens going, and we're under a tornado watch. Lights are flickering again, so I'd better close this down.

Please stay as safe as you can, and don't venture out, fellow East Coasters!

Hey Cottage - check-in again when you can. to you. Stay safe.

So far it's just rain here though the wind is starting to pick-up. I don't think we will have too much trouble being pretty far inland. The river may flood the main roads out of here but we are up on a hill so no worries. Just keeping an eye on the trees and the old roof for now. We decided to get up early and make coffee and full breakfasts ahead of the winds. We are as ready as we can be so I'll just go about my regular routine this morning - freezing melon, drying eggplant, cleaning the house. If the power goes out (and maybe even if it doesn't) there will be afternoon naps.

Matilda, Chris, other coastal Chicks please stop by when you can and let us know how you are!

Whew! Thank God the power came back on so I could have my coffee! That was my biggest concern, .

It got pretty scary overnight, but this morning it seems all is well. The back yard is under water and the pool is overflowing, and we see a lot of branches down, but there doesn't seem to be any major damage. I don't think we'll be going anywhere for a while, though, as there's a lot of flooded roads.

I hope everyone else faired as well.

Whew! Glad to hear from you, Cottage. We are under a weather advisory here too as Irene passes to the south-east and already have strong winds. We sure will miss the worst of this brat but I'm expecting power outages so am filling pots and pails with water.

The wedding was lovely - lots of happy folks and about twenty little kids running around with bubble machines. It was nice to meet up with Joan's old friends - funny but they all got white hair and wrinkles too! Food was "meh"! Joan's caterer was told to go "country" and came up with so-so pulled pork, corn on the cob and pie. A roast pig would have worked better.

Today I am giving myself a break and skipping church in favour of a quiet morning and a soak in the tub while I still have water.

I hope all our East Coasters are safe and able to check in.

Good Morning

Good to hear updates from those who are being impacted by the storm! Glad you got your coffee, Linda!

I slept in after some wakey wakey around 1am. I'll skip the pool in favor of a relaxed morning before church. I did get my class work done while I was awake so at least I can cross that off my list.

Take care everyone!